Written by: Patricia Van Den Bogaart
Newborn photography is a JOB! Today once again shown that it is not always clear at all. Unfortunately I hear lately a lot of accidents with these small vulnerable newborns. When I started with newborn photography I said that I wanted to go and put this part of photography on the map in the Netherlands, but I had something else in vision than what it is now … that makes me genuinely sad and hurts me. Those who know me know that I am someone who will take action and step forward instead of just pointing the finger.Am I making friends with that … my experience NO but honestly … I don’t care that much about it. I am concerned about the safety of the newborns, which must never be a discussion in my opion. So just small talk for the sideline doesn’t suit me. I want to make a difference for newborn photographers. Not knowing all isn’t a bad thing, it gives you just the opportunity to learn things as long as you are open to it.
An investment in a newborn photographer is based not only on someone’s time or what you’re getting but mainly on the experience of that person and knowledge of the profession itself, and above all, the most valuable thing who will get in your life your own child who are you trusting to work with them a baby, vulnerable and small. As parents, you should be able to rely on the knowledge of the photographer, but unfortunately that is not always the case.
In this blog I want to start and point out a small part in newborn safety but feel free to ask to in the comments and certainly there will be more blogs about it. The only way to grow is to share…that is what I believe…
Newborn photography includes many facets that must all blend together to make a good photograph. An important aspect is safety in the widest sense of the word.
Safety is the most important thing with the newborn itself!
How did the birth go is a standard question where I start with. It creates a bond of trust with the mother / maternity nurse and it gives me insight that I need to consider or what I can expect. It is possible that they have broken a collarbone while given birth because the birth canal was to thigh or the birth went to quickly.
The KISS syndrome also occurs regularly. In short, this means that a vertebra is then shifted during birth. Caution applies that the poses where they hold the head up is not desired. Personally I think if you work with such a delicate thing like a newborn you need to have knowledge about newborns as well and not only about photography.
Newborn photography is much more than just taking a picture. The baby’s head is the heaviest part of the baby itself. It is approx. 25% of the total bodyweight of the baby. The cervical vertebrae are not strong enough to carry the weight of the head be itself so it is important that the head is supported at all times in any pose.
Especially when using props, it is important to pay attention to this in the pose where they are posed on the edge of the basket or bowl. In fact, the babies are not posed on the edge but they are pose on a pile of blanket so it looks like they are posed on the edge but in fact they are not. This way they are properly supported at all periods of time. Also being posed on the edge itself can cause a disruption of the blood circulation and secondly the newborn can tilt over faster with the head.
The blood circulation of a newborn is very sensitive because they have very fine delicate blood vessels so it can happen that a red or purple discoloration will appear in affected part. It happens mostly in hands and feet. This is because the vital organs need the most blood and small blood vessels such as the hands and feet get less blood. These are not fully developed because the vital organs in the base are more important. This can occur in each pose, and it is therefore important that this is adjusted, and the pressure of that spot taken down so that the blood circulation comes back on stream. A newborn that is asleep will not wake up because it is not pleasant so it is definitely something we should watch out for as a professional newborn photographer.
Hopefully you already got some information that is important during a newborn session. Always keep safety in the back of your mind while photographing a newborn.No photograph is worth that something will happen with a newborn.
Leave a comment if you have questions and I will make sure to wright more blogs about it.
Thank you for your time and attention to read this.
Love Patricia
